Is your wireless network open? Better close it soon!

If you’re using a home wireless network, you really should consider securing it with WPA2 security. There are many videos on the web showing anyone can make a high-gain Wifi antenna with a Pringles can, a copper wire, and a couple of nuts and bolts and use this contraption to access wireless Internet signals from 1/4 to 1/2 mile away from the open router. And if a criminal gains access to you wireless signal and does illegal things, guess whose house the cops will be coming to – that’s right: Yours!

Most routers made within the last year automatically set up your connection with WPA2 or WPA3 security. If your router is older than that, you’ll have to set up your secure connection manually following the instructions available from your router manufacturer’s web site. Normally, you’ll need to open your browser and type in http://198.168.1.1 – but it varies with the brand and mode of wireless router you’re using.

So the brand name on your router and visit the web site of the manufacturer and get the information you need to secure your wireless connection. According to data from the Cyber Crimes unit, at least 30% of you are still using open wireless connections. If you continue to use an open connection not only can criminals use your connection (from miles away) for criminal activities, they can also store things on your computer and even access files on your computer. And while they’re using your connection you won’t know the difference – it’s very difficult to detect.

So…if you’re using an ope wireless connection. Today is the day to secure it with a strong password and WPA2 (or better encryption). If you need motivation to do it, watch the video below:

3 thoughts on “Is your wireless network open? Better close it soon!”

I became a Verizon Fios customer in December. The package included a free wireless router, and was installed by Verizon. I didn’t go wireless until last month when I added a laptop. After reading this article,
I’m wondering how old that router is. It appeared to be new because I saw the installer take it out of the box.
But I know that’s no guarantee because it could have been
sitting on a shelf for a couple of years, or even used and repackaged. How can I tell?

I was given a Router ID and a 10 character WEPKEY which I
entered when I logged on (wireless) for the first time.
I’m totally new to this. What else should I do? Is WEP
security protecting me? Should I be asking Verizon for WPA2 security or can I do it myself?

Really Confoosed now because WEP security is all I ever heard of ’til now.

This has me worried as I have had on several occasions been asked by my computer to allow several of my functions to be allowed. Once I did allow it thinking it was to help with my YouTube viewing, but as I still know next to nothing about this when it came up again and was asking to open my music catalog I did not allow it, but after seeing this I am almost certain that someone is using my service and I have no idea how to go about setting a password so that they can no longer get into my computer. Seems I have had alot of Tracking Cookies also which I usually don’t as I go to the same places everyday. If I call the company and get another router I have to pay as I don’t have any valid proof but I know that someone is on my computer as the speed has dropped and just some other little hints here and there that are alerting me to this. But I have no idea what to do about it. Thanks for allowing me to see this video as I was just about to think I was going crazy. So if this could happen to a little old housewife then it could happen to anyone. dj
And since I don’t play any games on here why would there be updates for games I don’t have?
Now please tell me what I can do on a Vista to set a password or something to protect myself. Thanks so much for this amazing article. It has been very informative for me.